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enFourFourTwo's 59 Best Under-21 Wonderkids in the WorldFeast your eyes on the future: FourFourTwo.coms list of the brightest bulbs in world football...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-59-best-under-21-wonderkids-world
Few things in football make the fan’s heart surge as much as the arrival of a wonderkid. A bright-eyed new talent who might take on the world, quite possibly dragging your hopeless bunch of cloggers along with him as he starts on the path to global domination of the greatest sport known to humankind.
Similarly, few things in football feel better than knowing about something – or someone – that other people don’t. That’s why we at FourFourTwo have long brought you the Boy’s A Bit Special andTalentspotterfinds, alerting you to the finest fledgling face-fuzz wearers in football.
And so, here we bring you the stars of tomorrow, and in some cases today. You’ll know some of the names higher up the list – but there's plenty of others you won't. So read on...
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Plus these
POLLYOU decide: Who is the best under-21 wonderkid in the world?
YOUTH HAWK13 contenders to be the Premier League's first Year 2000 player
FEATURE19 teenagers you won't be able to ignore over the next year
FEATUREWho are the Golden Boy winners since 2003 – and what happened to them?
TALENTSPOTTERFranck Kessie: The rising Ivorian star on Manchester City’s and Arsenal’s radar
GAMINGWho are Football Manager 2017's 84 best wonderkids and why are they brilliant?
FourFourTwo's 59 Best Under-21 Wonderkids in the World 2016
featureThu, 06 Oct 2016 18:30:00 +0000Joe Brewin635392 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSlutsky unsurprised by apparent Premier League interest in DzagoevScouts from several Premier League clubs were reportedly keeping an eye on CSKA Moscow midfielder Alan Dzagoev at Wembley on Wednesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/slutsky-unsurprised-apparent-premier-league-interest-dzagoev
Outgoing CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky has said he would not be surprised to see Alan Dzagoev secure a move to the Premier League.
Dzagoev opened the scoring for CSKA at Wembley on Wednesday, before Tottenham hit back to earn a deserved 3-1 win in Group E of the Champions League and a place in the Europa League at the expense of their opponents.
Slutsky, who had announced his impending departure ahead of the match, was duly asked to comment on Russia international Dzagoev reportedly having been watched by scouts from several British clubs.
He replied: "It's obvious Alan Dzagoev is one of the top players in the Russian league. It's not surprising that scouts were watching him and it will not be surprising if he continues his career in one of the top British clubs.
"[But] even though he scored a goal, he still has a lot of things to work on."
CSKA named only five substitutes for their clash with Tottenham and Slutsky was quick to highlight the lack of options at his disposal.
"It was very hard. We had lots of players missing and, even though we scored the first goal, I can blame the absence of the missing players," he added.
"I would say that it was very uncomfortable to play with the missing players we had. And we had a very tough opponent to play against.
"Because of the missing players it's very difficult to compete in the Champions League.
"The only thing I can say is that I feel disappointment."
news_articleWed, 07 Dec 2016 23:04:03 +0000Anonymous660751 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comKane relieved to end Wembley hoodooTottenham finally earned a Wembley win on Wednesday and Harry Kane hopes Spurs can now mount a challenge in the Europa League.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/kane-relieved-end-wembley-hoodoo
Harry Kane is hoping Tottenham can use Wednesday's 3-1 victory over CSKA Moscow as a springboard for a lengthy Europa League run, after they ended their miserable run of results at Wembley.
Spurs had failed to win their previous six matches at the national stadium, the temporary venue for their continental matches due to construction work at White Hart Lane, with Champions League defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco proving costly this term.
Those results were largely responsible for ending Tottenham's hopes of progressing in Europe's premier club competition, but they at least concluded their Group E campaign on a winning note.
Alan Dzagoev gave CSKA the lead against the run of play after 33 minutes, but Dele Alli and Harry Kane responded swiftly to put Spurs ahead, before an Igor Akinfeev own goal made the points safe for Mauricio Pochettino's men.
Asked about his team's past Wembley struggles, Kane told BT Sport: "That's what we wanted to put right.
"Obviously a lot of people have been talking about it and it's been a bit annoying so it was good to go out there and win.
"Now we're obviously into the Europa League, so we'll be playing here again and hopefully we can build on this and go far in that competition."
Fellow goalscorer Alli, who spurned two excellent chances prior to his equaliser, added: "It's a good platform to build on.
"We felt as soon as the first whistle went that we were dominating and their goal was definitely against the run of play.
"We knew the chances would come again and we knew that if we put them away and stuck to the gameplan we'd win the game."
news_articleWed, 07 Dec 2016 22:20:06 +0000Anonymous660687 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comTottenham 3 CSKA Moscow 1: Spurs survive scare to seal Europa League berthLeonid Slutsky's last game in charge of CSKA ended in defeat as Tottenham came from behind to deservedly seal third spot in Group E.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/tottenham-3-cska-moscow-1-spurs-survive-scare-seal-europa-league-berth
Tottenham put aside their previous Wembley woes by coming from behind to record a 3-1 Champions League victory over CSKA Moscow and secure a place in the Europa League.
Both teams came into Wednesday's match knowing their hopes of continued participation in Europe's premier club competition were over, but Mauricio Pochettino had insisted Spurs would treat their final Group E fixture with the utmost importance.
That was borne out by the Argentine manager's starting line-up, which showed just one change from Saturday's 5-0 victory over Swansea in the Premier League, with Harry Winks replacing Mousa Dembele, yet it was CSKA - needing victory to overhaul their opponents - who claimed a 33rd-minute lead against the run of play through Alan Dzagoev.
Dele Alli and Harry Kane ensured Spurs - without a win in their last six outings at Wembley - were deservedly ahead by the break, however, and a home win was sealed by Igor Akinfeev's somewhat bizarre own goal with 13 minutes remaining.
Spurs go into next Monday's draw for the last 32 of the Europa League, while CSKA will turn their attention to finding a new manager during a three-month mid-season break, having announced on Tuesday this would be Leonid Slutsky's final game in charge.
Amid a low-key atmosphere, Tottenham predictably dominated possession and territory from the outset.
Christian Eriksen and Alli were guilty of spurning the most presentable opportunities in the first half-hour, both shooting tamely at visiting goalkeeper Akinfeev from close range.
And Tottenham were punished for their profligacy when Zoran Tosic nodded Bibras Natcho's lofted pass into the path of Dzagoev, who escaped Eric Dier and took a touch before firing a low finish beyond Hugo Lloris.
CSKA's lead proved short-lived as Alli, who had also headed wide early on, provided the opening period's standout moment of quality five minutes later.
The England midfielder brought down a right-wing cross from Eriksen superbly and curled a shot back across goal into the far corner, although Kyle Walker had appeared offside in a scrappy build-up.
Spurs' second goal, which came in first-half injury-time after CSKA had threatened for a second time on the counter, could also have been ruled out, but the linesman's flag stayed down as Eriksen's chip found Danny Rose in space and the left-back's first-time ball across the face of goal left Kane with a simple finish.
Make that 9 goals in 9 games for Harry Kane...#UCL pic.twitter.com/B3A1xWJTmV
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 7, 2016
The pattern of play remained largely the same after the interval, with the influential Eriksen involved in much of Tottenham's best work.
A third Spurs goal initially remained elusive, Kane heading over from 10 yards shortly before the crowd was lifted by Toby Alderweireld's return from injury as a 68th-minute replacement for Victor Wanyama, which saw Dier slot into midfield.
However, after Eriksen and Kane had forced further saves from Akinfeev, Tottenham pulled further clear when the CSKA goalkeeper made a fine save from Alli's header, only to then divert the loose ball into his own net with his right foot.
news_articleWed, 07 Dec 2016 21:36:23 +0000Anonymous660681 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSlutsky to leave CSKA MoscowThe match against Tottenham at Wembley on Wednesday will be Leonid Slutsky's last in charge of CSKA Moscow.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/slutsky-leave-cska-moscow
Leonid Slutsky will step down as CSKA Moscow coach after the Champions League match against Tottenham on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old has been in charge of the club since 2009, winning the Russian Premier League three times, including last season, as well as two Russian Cups and two Russian Super Cups.
CSKA have endured a disappointing campaign in UEFA's elite club competition but could yet finish third in Group E and qualify for the Europa League ahead of Tottenham, who they face at Wembley.
"CSKA thank Leonid Slutsky after seven years of fruitful co-operation, yielding three league titles, two Russian Cups and two Super Cups, as well as the incredible emotion that the team gave to our huge army of fans under his leadership over all these years," the club said in a statement.
"Our doors are always open to you, Leonid!"
#CSKA head coach Leonid Slutskiy has decided to leave the club after tomorrow’s Champions League game against Tottenham Hotspur pic.twitter.com/gceau7AgZT
— PFC CSKA Moscow (@PFCCSKA_en) December 6, 2016
He leaves with reigning champions CSKA third in the league table, ahead of the domestic season restarting in March with a home game against second-placed Zenit.
Slutsky also led Russia at Euro 2016 following the departure of Fabio Capello from the national team post in August 2015. However, they finished a disappointing fourth in Group B in France, behind Wales, England and Slovakia, prompting him to stand aside in June.
news_articleTue, 06 Dec 2016 18:15:22 +0000Anonymous660091 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDortmund eye top spot and a goalscoring record - Champions League in Opta numbersReal Madrid versus Borussia Dortmund is the headline act of the final round of Champions League group games.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/dortmund-eye-top-spot-and-a-goalscoring-record-champions-league-opta-numbers
The group phase of the Champions League concludes on Wednesday and there is plenty on the line for the clubs involved.
As the likes of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund battle it out for top spot, Tottenham are among the clubs looking to salvage third place and a Europa League berth.
But while Dortmund have their sights set on an enviable goalscoring record, other sides must overturn the weight of history in order to get a much-needed win.
Here are some of the best stats from the concluding fixtures before the knockout stages, courtesy of Opta.
Bayer Leverkusen v Monaco:
5 - Monaco are unbeaten in their five previous competitive encounters with Leverkusen, all in the Champions League (W3 D2).
7 - Leverkusen have not suffered a loss in their last seven Champions League games (W1 D6), marking their longest run without a defeat in the competition.
Tottenham v CSKA Moscow:
3 - In this season's group stage, only three of Tottenham's 58 shots have found the back of the net (five per cent).
1 - CSKA have won only one of their six away games against English opposition in the Champions League (D2 L3), this came in November 2013 versus Manchester City (2-1).
Legia Warsaw v Sporting CP:
0 - Legia failed to register a shot on target against Sporting in their previous encounter last September.
14 - Sporting have lost 14 of their 21 Champions League away games, winning only three and drawing four.
Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund:
11 - Madrid have won 11 of their last 14 Champions League home games against German clubs (D2 L1), with their only defeat in that run coming against Schalke in March 2015 (4-3).
19 - With 19 goals this season, Dortmund are only one short of equaling the record tally in a Champions League group campaign (Manchester United 1998-99, Barcelona 2011-12, Real Madrid 2013-14).
54% - Only Real Madrid (55.4%) and Sevilla (55.3%) have higher duels success ratio than Besiktas in CL this season (54%). Formidable.
— OptaCan (@OptaCan) December 6, 2016
Club Brugge v Copenhagen:
10 - Brugge have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 games at home, with their last shutout dating back to September 2002 against Lokomotiv Moscow (0-0).
1 - Copenhagen have won only one of their 12 away games in the Champions League (D2 L9), that victory coming against Panathinaikos in September 2010 (2-0).
Porto v Leicester City:
11 - In 11 games, no English club have scored more than one goal on their trips to Porto in the Champions League.
1 - Porto have lost only one of their last 11 home games in the Champions League (W7 D3), which was against Dynamo Kiev in November 2015 (2-0). It is also the only time they have failed to score in those 11 games.
Juventus v Dinamo Zagreb:
2 - Juventus have lost only two of their last 37 home games in the Champions League (W22, D13), with Bayern Munich inflicting both of those defeats.
11 - Dinamo Zagreb have lost their last 11 Champions League away games, conceding 38 goals and scoring only three in the process.
Lyon v Sevilla:
2 - Lyon must beat Sevilla by at least two goals to finish second and qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
6 - Wissam Ben Yedder has scored six goals in 10 competitive games against Lyon, including the only one in their encounter last September (1-0).
news_articleTue, 06 Dec 2016 14:50:43 +0000Anonymous660005 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEuropa League can help Spurs end Wembley hoodoo - PochettinoTottenham have lost two out of two at Wembley in this season's Champions League and face CSKA Moscow there on Wednesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/europa-league-can-help-spurs-end-wembley-hoodoo-pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino is eager to salvage a Europa League spot out of Tottenham's failed Champions League campaign as he believes it will help them overcome their Wembley blues.
Spurs have lost their two previous Group E games at the national stadium, but will qualify for Europe's secondary competition if they avoid defeat there against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.
With White Hart Lane undergoing redevelopment until 2018, Spurs are set to play more games at Wembley next season and Pochettino wants to make some positive memories under the famous arch.
"After being out of the Champions League, it's [the Europa League] important for different reasons," said Pochettino, who last month confirmed the club's preference to play Europa League games at Wembley, despite being free to return to White Hart Lane.
"First of all because we have the opportunity to play more games at Wembley, where next season we will play more games. It's a great opportunity to make Wembley our home.
"For the squad it's important to be involved in different competitions. We have a lot of young players who need the experience of playing in Europe.
"Now it's a good opportunity to show that we learn from our experience in the Champions League.
"I believe that it's important for the club to be involved in the Europa League. We didn't play well in the Champions League at Wembley, but it's important for us to be involved in the Europa League. Why not try to go further in that competition?"
Pochettino also confirmed defender Toby Alderweireld would return to the squad having been sidelined since October with a knee injury.
"Toby will be involved in the squad," said Pochettino. "We are happy.
"It's important for him to be involved. He will be on the bench and then we will decide if he will be on the bench again at Manchester United on Sunday."
TEAM NEWS: " @AlderweireldTob will be back in the squad which is very good news. @Ben_Davies33 is also close to being available again." #COYS pic.twitter.com/LawUPbNJrK
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 6, 2016
Erik Lamela, who is out with a hip problem, has flown home to Argentina owing to a family problem involving his brother.
"We want to send our big support to his family and we hope it is not too bad, but it is an issue where he needed to go out," added Pochettino.
news_articleTue, 06 Dec 2016 14:10:19 +0000Anonymous659998 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVolland relieved with Moscow strikeBayer Leverkusen were indebted to Kevin Volland for claiming a 1-1 draw at CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/volland-relieved-moscow-strike
Germany international Kevin Volland was a relieved man after his first-half goal enabled Bayer Leverkusen to claim a 1-1 Champions League draw at CSKA Moscow.
Volland has endured a miserable season so far, failing to score in the Bundesliga and then being sent off against former club Hoffenheim last month.
But he netted the opener at the Arena CSKA after 16 minutes only for a penalty from Bibras Natcho to deny the visitors victory. Volland also curled a shot against the post in the closing minutes, but it finished level, meaning Leverkusen were waiting on results elsewhere on Tuesday to see if they had done enough to progress to the knockout stages.
"The last couple of weeks have been difficult for me personally, so a goal like that always helps boost your confidence," Volland told UEFA.com.
"I could have scored again in the second half, but the ball came off the post. A point in Moscow is okay, but we had the chances to get all three points."
Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt rued Volland's late miss, but was largely content with his team's display.
"It's a shame we didn't see the game out," he said. "We deserved to take the lead, but it was clear Moscow would put pressure on us after that.
"We had a great chance to score a second through Kevin Volland, but we're satisfied with the draw. It's not easy here in Moscow."
news_articleTue, 22 Nov 2016 20:53:25 +0000Anonymous654331 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCSKA Moscow 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1: Natcho penalty keeps Group E wide openCSKA are out of the Champions League after drawing 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen, but the result leaves the group otherwise finely poised.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cska-moscow-1-bayer-leverkusen-1-natcho-penalty-keeps-group-e-wide-open
CSKA Moscow snatched a second-half equaliser to hold Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday and hand a boost to Champions League Group E rivals Tottenham and Monaco.
Kevin Volland's first-half strike looked to have sealed all three points for the visitors at Arena CSKA, but a penalty from Bibras Natcho denied them a victory and kept alive third-placed Tottenham's hopes of reaching the last 16.
The result means Leverkusen are just three points ahead of Spurs prior to their game with group leaders Monaco, but CSKA's fate is sealed, as only a win would have given them a chance of progressing.
Volland capped a strong start Roger Schmidt's side when he fired low past Igor Akinfeev after only 16 minutes, ensuring that the Russia international's wait for a clean sheet in the competition extended to 38 matches.
CSKA had earlier come close through Aleksandr Golovin and saw a shot from Alan Dzagoev whistle off-target, but, despite some sustained pressure, they had to wait until midway through the second half for another clear chance, when Golovin's effort was stopped just in time by Bernd Leno.
Leonid Slutsky's side gave themselves some hope 15 minutes from time, when Natcho fired his penalty low past Leno following a clumsy foul from Benjamin Henrichs, and they got a stroke of luck when Volland rattled the post with 10 minutes to play.
But there was to be no winner in sub-zero conditions in Russia, meaning CSKA must now focus on scrapping for a Europa League spot, while Leverkusen could yet go through with a match to spare if Monaco defeat Spurs.
CSKA wasted two clear chances for a valuable early goal, Golovin shooting straight at Leno from close range, having earlier frozen when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, although Hakan Calhanoglu fired narrowly wide of the post to give the home side a scare.
It was a lesson CSKA appeared not to heed, however. On 16 minutes, Calhanoglu played a free-kick short to Kevin Kampl and he chipped the ball into the path of Volland, who had time to control and fire low past Akinfeev from 12 yards after beating the offside trap.
Dzagoev, back from a long-term hamstring injury, blasted inches over after a good turn in the area, but CSKA had the assistant's flag to thank for preventing them from falling further behind when Omer Toprak turned in a rebound from Calhanoglu's free-kick, only for Javier Hernandez to have strayed offside.
CSKA mounted some good pressure after the break, though 18-year-old striker Fedor Chalov was given negligible service on his Champions League debut and struggled against the robust pairing of Toprak and Jonathan Tah.
Leverkusen looked dangerous on the counter-attack, particularly through the positive runs of Julian Brandt, and Calhanoglu bent a free-kick agonisingly wide after the young Germany winger had been fouled on one such promising burst forward.
The visitors had looked comfortable but came within inches of conceding an equaliser with just over 20 minutes to play, however Leno just did enough to smother the ball on the line after Golovin's shot on the turn had bounced through his legs.
But with 15 minutes to play, CSKA found their lifeline. Henrichs' lunged to reach the ball, but could only crash into Mario Fernandes, allowing Natcho to sweep the ball into Leno's bottom-right corner from the spot.
Volland skipped inside the CSKA area and struck the base of the post with a fine curling shot, but that was as close to a winner as either side came in a frustrating final few minutes.
news_articleTue, 22 Nov 2016 18:54:18 +0000Anonymous654289 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMadrid perfect in Portugal, N'Zonzi the pass master - Champions League in Opta numbersA run of scoring in 20 successive matches against Portuguese opponents for Real Madrid is among Opta's stats ahead of matchday five.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/madrid-perfect-portugal-nzonzi-pass-master-champions-league-opta-numbers
Real Madrid will hope to continue their impressive goalscoring run against Portuguese opponents away to Sporting CP on Tuesday as they look to secure Champions League progression.
In their last 20 meetings with Primeira Liga sides, Madrid have never failed to find the back of the net, encouraging news ahead of a trip to Lisbon in Group F – where a point would confirm a last-16 berth for Zinedine Zidane's holders.
Borussia Dortmund's clash with Legia Warsaw also promises goals if the teams' form so far in this season's competition is anything to go by, with the latter hoping to avoid breaking an unwanted record.
In Moscow, meanwhile, CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev continues his long wait for a clean sheet against Bayer Leverkusen.
With the help of Opta, we bring you the best stats for Tuesday's Champions League group stage fixtures.
Sporting CP v Real Madrid
20 - Real Madrid have never failed to score against Portuguese opposition across 20 matches in all competitions.
7 - Madrid have already conceded more goals in the Champions League after four matches this season than the whole of their victorious 2015-16 campaign (six in 13 games).
Borussia Dortmund v Legia Warsaw
24 - Legia Warsaw have conceded more goals than any other team in this season's tournament (16). The record over a Champions League group stage belongs to BATE Borisov, who conceded 24 goals in 2014-15.
2 of 26 - Only two of Borussia Dortmund's last 26 Champions League games has ended in a draw (W15 L9).
Sevilla v Juventus
233 - Sevilla's Steven N'Zonzi has completed more passes in the opposition half than any other player in the Champions League this season (233).
100 - Gianluigi Buffon became the fifth goalkeeper to reach the landmark of 100 Champions League appearances in the last round. He's still 60 games short of Iker Casillas' record though (160).
Leicester City v Club Brugge
2012-13 - Leicester City could also become the first team since Malaga in 2012/13 to win the group in their first ever Champions League appearance.
3 - Club Brugge have also scored only three goals in their last 10 Champions League away games.
CSKA Moscow v Bayer Leverkusen
37 - CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has failed to keep a clean sheet in his last 37 Champions League games, the longest ever run without a shut out for a goalkeeper in the competition.
6 - Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six Champions League games (five draws followed by a win), their longest run without a defeat in the competition.
Monaco v Tottenham
2 - Monaco have lost only two of their last 19 Champions League games at home (W13 D4). Their last home defeat in the group stages dates back to September 2000 against Rangers (0-1).
2 - Tottenham have failed to score more than one goal in each of their last eight Champions League games. In this season's group stages, only two of Tottenham's 52 shots have found the back of the net.
Copenhagen v Porto
5 - Copenhagen have already scored more goals this season (five) than they did in their last Champions League group stage appearance (four in 2013/14). Their five goals have all been scored after half-time.
2 - Porto striker Andre Silva has only had two shots on target in 360 minutes in this season's Champions League but both of them have found the back of the net.
Dinamo Zagreb v Lyon
6 - Dinamo Zagreb have failed to score in their last six Champions League games – the record in the competition belongs to Deportivo La Coruna (eight). They are the only team yet to find the net in this season's tournament – registering only three shots on target.
3/3 - Lyon have won all three of their previous encounters with Dinamo Zagreb, scoring 12 goals and conceding only one.
news_articleMon, 21 Nov 2016 16:38:59 +0000Anonymous653828 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBREAKING NEWS: Eremenko given two-year doping banRoman Eremenko has been hit with a two-year ban by UEFA after failing a doping test following a CSKA Moscow Champions League match.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/breaking-news-eremenko-given-two-year-doping-ban
UEFA has announced that CSKA Moscow midfielder Roman Eremenko has been given a two-year ban after failing a doping test.news_articleFri, 18 Nov 2016 10:29:17 +0000Anonymous652323 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFalcao relieved to end wait for Champions League goalRadamel Falcao scored his first Champions League goals since 2010 on Wednesday, and he wants to keep up that form for Monaco.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/falcao-relieved-end-wait-champions-league-goal
Radamel Falcao is targeting more goals for Monaco after ending a six-year wait to score in the Champions League during Wednesday's win over CSKA Moscow.
The 30-year-old scored twice in the first half of the 3-0 win after Valere Germain had put the home side ahead at Stade Louis II.
Falcao, whose last goals in the competition came for Porto in February 2010, was relieved to make his mark and wants to sustain his goalscoring form in Saturday's Ligue 1 clash with Nancy.
"We're very happy with the victory and we'll try to defend first place," he said.
"I've never played in the Champions League for Monaco. They were my first two goals with Monaco and it was a good win for the team.
"I hope to score more for my team. The most important thing is that Monaco achieve their objectives.
"I feel good physically at the moment, I played 70 minutes at a good rhythm. I hope to continue on Saturday."
Monaco's win has put them two points clear at the top of Group E with two matches to play.
news_articleThu, 03 Nov 2016 09:04:01 +0000Anonymous646325 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comWe believe in Falcao, but he can do even more - JardimA point from Monaco's next Champions League game with Tottenham will be enough to seal their progression to the knockout stages.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/we-believe-falcao-he-can-do-even-more-jardim
Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim hailed goalscoring hero Radamel Falcao after his double moved the club closer to the last 16 of the Champions League.
The 30-year-old's first-half strikes helped the hosts brush aside CSKA Moscow 3-0 and extend their lead at the top of Group E to two points, but Jardim feels the Colombian striker can be even better.
They were his first goals in the competition since February 2010, having since endured long injury absences and unsuccessful moves to Manchester United and Chelsea.
After the match, Jardim urged Falcao to stay fit and keep finding the back of the net.
"The important thing is that the club, me and the team believe in him," he told L'Equipe.
"He had a very good game for 60 minutes. That's Falcao, with lots of good combinations in the game.
"Now he has to get consistency and string together matches."
Monaco host Tottenham in three weeks, where a point would be enough to confirm their progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Jardim praised his side's first-half display as they scored three times to end the game as a contest by the interval.
"In the first half there was the show, three goals, a lot of combinations," he said.
"We were very strong in the first period. This gave us an advantage in the game.
"At 3-0 at half-time, it was necessary that the team maintained a state of concentration [so] I had to talk a lot in the second period."
news_articleWed, 02 Nov 2016 23:15:52 +0000Anonymous646184 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMonaco 3 CSKA Moscow 0: Falcao double extends Group E leadMonaco are now two points ahead of Bayer Leverkusen in Champions League Group E after an impressive win over CSKA Moscow.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/monaco-3-cska-moscow-0-falcao-double-extends-group-e-lead
Radamel Falcao's first Champions League goals for over six years helped Monaco extend their lead at the top of Group E with a comfortable 3-0 win over CSKA Moscow.
Both the Monaco captain and Valere Germain took advantage of some shambolic CSKA defending to score before the Colombia striker - whose previous strike in the tournament came in February 2010 - added a wonderful third before half-time.
The Ligue 1 side are now in pole position to qualify from Group E and hold a two-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen in second before they host Tottenham – who are four points adrift in third - in three weeks.
CSKA had chances of their own, particularly through Carlos Strandberg - who was picked ahead of Lacina Traore against his parent club - but were left to pay the price for a series of mistakes at the back.
Leonid Slutsky's men have now won just one of their last nine games in all competitions and remain rooted to the bottom of the group, with their chances of progression fading fast.
Monaco were gifted the first goal on 12 minutes, as CSKA's backline failed in their attempt to play Germain offside following a half-cleared free-kick, allowing the Monaco forward free run at goal to convert at the second attempt.
It was an opening period littered with defensive errors from both sides and the hosts almost immediately handed back their lead, but Zoran Tosic failed to take advantage of Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic clearing the ball right to him as his effort was saved.
CSKA went even closer when Subasic sprawled to deny Carlos Strandberg after he raced behind the Monaco defence.
But it was Monaco who doubled their lead after 28 minutes when an unmarked Falcao slid to bundle in a pinpoint Benjamin Mendy cross at the far post for his first Champions League goal since February 2010.
Skipper Falcao grabbed his second four minutes before the break, finishing a fantastic move that he started by exchanging a lovely one-two with Germain before rolling his marker and firing impressively past Akinfeev.
The 30-year-old started the second half in the same vein as he searched desperately for his hat-trick, but he blazed wide from a powerful Mendy cross, saw another goalbound effort blocked and then fired another opportunity straight at Akinfeev.
Falcao's best opportunity for a third was still to come midway through the second half as he smartly controlled in the area before shooting wide. His substitution with 16 minutes remaining ultimately ended those hopes.
CSKA, meanwhile, had brought on Traore after his goal in last month's 1-1 draw between the two sides, but he could not inspire the visitors to find a way back into the contest.
The game petered out in the latter stages, with the hosts happy to keep ball and see out the emphatic win which takes Leonardo Jardim's men a step closer to the last 16.
news_articleWed, 02 Nov 2016 21:40:05 +0000Anonymous646117 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRonaldo deadly on the road, Dani Alves the chief creator - Champions League in Opta numbersThe extraordinary away scoring record of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is among Opta's Champions League matchday four insights.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ronaldo-deadly-road-dani-alves-chief-creator-champions-league-opta-numbers
Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to build upon his formidable away form in the Champions League at Legia Warsaw, while Leicester City - amid exalted historical company - are on the brink of progression.
Expect plenty of goals when Sporting CP visit Borussia Dortmund, with Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang certain to be a threat.
And defender Dani Alves will be looking to continue his exceptional attacking contribution when Juventus face Lyon.
With the help of Opta, we bring you the best stats for Wednesday's Champions League group stage fixtures.
Legia Warsaw v Real Madrid
47 - Real Madrid have failed to score only once in their last 47 Champions League group games.
28 - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 28 times in his 23 Champions League appearances away from home for Madrid.
Borussia Dortmund v Sporting CP
61 - Borussia Dortmund have had more shots than any other team over the first three games in this season's group stages: 61. Only Barcelona (13) have scored more goals than BVB (10).
5.8 - Sporting CP's last five Champions League games against German clubs have produced 29 goals, an average of 5.8 goals per game.
Juventus v Lyon
14 - Juventus fullback Dani Alves has created 14 chances this season in the Champions League; three more than any other player.
3 - The last three goals recorded by Juventus in the 2016-17 Champions League have seen the direct involvement of Alves (one goal and two assists).
Tottenham v Bayer Leverkusen
1 - Tottenham have failed to score more than one goal in their last seven Champions League games and in this season's group stage, only two of Spurs' 43 shots have found the back of the net. They failed to have a shot in the second half of the reverse fixture in Germany.
2 of 24 - Leverkusen have won only two of their last 24 Champions League away games and won just one of 11 home or away, drawing seven times and losing three. They have drawn the last five in succession.
Copenhagen v Leicester
5th - Leicester are only the fifth team in Champions League history to win their opening three games in the competition, after AC Milan in 1992-93, Paris Saint-Germain in 1994-95, Juventus in 1995-96 and Malaga in 2012-13.
4 - And they have Riyad Mahrez to thank. The Algeria star has been directly involved in four of Leicester's five Champions League goals, scoring three times and claiming an assist.
Sevilla v Dinamo Zagreb
0 - Despite having had their woodwork rattled three times, Sevilla are one of four teams yet to concede a goal in their three Champions League group games this season, alongside Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Leicester.
0 from 24 - Dinamo Zagreb have lost 21 of their last 24 Champions League games, failing to keep a clean sheet in all of those 24 games and conceding a massive 63 goals in the process.
Monaco v CSKA Moscow
20/9/2000 - Monaco have only lost two of their last 18 Champions League games at home and have not been beaten at Stade Louis II in the competition since a 1-0 defeat to Rangers in September 2000.
0 from 25 - CSKA, meanwhile, have lost nine of their last 11 away games in the Champions League and have not kept a clean sheet in their previous 25 outings.
Porto v Club Brugge
3 - Club Brugge have given away more penalties than any other team in the competition thus far (three); one of those includes Andre Silva's injury-time winner for Porto last time out.
19 - No team has faced fewer shots this season in the Champions League than Porto (19, level with Barcelona).
news_articleTue, 01 Nov 2016 14:59:32 +0000Anonymous645445 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com